Pottergate Tower at Alnwick

A Beautiful and Unique Holiday Property in the Historic Heart of Alnwick

Pottergate Tower in Alnwick is a refurbished Grade 2* Listed historic tower sympathetically restored to create a 3 storey, luxury tower sleeping up to 2 people. Pottergate Tower is steeped with history, with stunning architecture and design – every aspect of the tower is interesting and unique, it’s very different to the usual self-catering cottage and eco-friendly too.

With stunning views from every elevation at a high level; overlooking fabulous Alnwick Castle and the beautiful townscape of historic Alnwick, with the countryside beyond, this magical medieval tower provides the perfect luxury escape from the hustle and bustle of 21st century living. Click HERE to read all about the fascinating history of Pottergate Tower.

Best Holiday Home in Europe 2017 – Finalist

Pottergate Tower beat off stiff competition from luxury chateau’s, castles and a whole host of outstanding holiday properties across Europe to become a finalist in the Best Holiday Home in Europe Awards 2017.

Pottergate Tower at Alnwick

Overview

So much thought and consideration has been put into transforming this historical monument into very comfortable and warm, luxury accommodation, whilst retaining every bit of the building’s unique character and provenence. Cutting edge technology has been utilised to provide the comforts of 21st century living at the same time as having the unique experience of holidaying in a historic tower. For those visiting Alnwick to experience the history and majesty of this ducal town – and perhaps also the magic of the Harry Potter legacy, as Alnwick Castle provided the setting for Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, there is no better place to experience Alnwick than with a stay at Pottergate Tower.

With original, narrow stone spiral steps up to this ‘Princess Tower’, you access the property from near the main street of Alnwick. The kitchen is spacious, light and open with all the mod-cons and appliances you would expect.

Pottergate Tower is furnished and equipped to a minimum of a 4 Star GOLD Award standard. Sleeping just 2, this sumptuous and unique bolt-hole provides a wonderful medieval experience but with all the comforts of 21st century, including free Wi-Fi.

Unfortunately no dogs, children or babies are permitted to stay at the tower due to the nature of the building.

Entrance

The entrance to Pottergate Tower is from the bottom of the tower itself. Parking is available under the tower for unloading, then your car can be parked on the roadside just a few yards away from the tower. The entrance to the first floor is up a very narrow, spiral stone staircase, which makes it unsuitable for anyone with impaired mobility, children and dogs.

First Floor

Kitchen/Dining Area

The first level of the tower contains the kitchen and mezzanine viewing area.

All the usual appliances are provided, including electric oven, electric ceramic hob, microwave, kettle, toaster, Tassimo coffee machine, fridge with freezer box. The separate island has 2 stools at the breakfast bar, but there is also a separate, more formal dining area, where the glass-topped dining table with a walnut base and complimentary leather upholstered chairs provides an ideal setting for evening dining.

Mezzanine Viewing Platform

Leading up a flight of stairs from the kitchen and dining area, the cleverly constructed mezzanine level offers stunning panoramic views of Alnwick Castle and the market town, with the Duke’s Pastures and moors behind. With a comfortable built in window seat and book case containing historical reference books, guide books and novels, this is the ideal place to enjoy the view and watch the world go by in your own medieval Tower.

Second Floor

Lounge

A narrow and winding stone staircase leads from the first floor ‘kitchen’ level up to the 2nd floor lounge and bathroom level.

The comfortable lounge has been furnished in a contemporary style to compliment the old stone walls and antique features of the tower. With a corner sofa, Smart TV with integral DVD player and walls hung with local artworks, this room provides the perfect escapist bolt-hole from everyday life. There’s an extensive library of DVD films for your use, along with an XBox games console with a selection of games and complimentary free Wi-Fi.

A stunning Gothic-arched stone carved and mullioned window provides a breathtaking view of Alnwick Castle during the day and a beautiful backdrop to the room at night. If you’re awake early enough, this window provides a fabulous dawn view of Alnwick Castle.

>Bathroom

Located just off the lounge, the spacious bathroom features a beautiful view to the north of the town through a Gothic carved stone mullioned window, providing plenty of natural light. Equipped with a large, double-sized luxurious shower, WC and wash hand basin. A mirrored cabinet offers plenty of storage for toiletries. Luxury towels and complimentary toiletries are provided.

Mezzanine Bedroom

Accessed via a staircase from the lounge, this gorgeous bedroom is on a large mezzanine overlooking the lounge below. Windows at floor level provide a 360 degree view of historic Alnwick town and Alnwick Castle.

A superking (6’wide) bed with luxury pocketsprung mattress and luxury bedlinen provides a sumptious nights sleep. This bed is convertable to twin single beds upon request, if required (please state if this is required at the time of booking).

The mezzanine wraps around 2 sides of the tower, with a dressing area along one side. Even though you are high enough up for no-one to be able to see into the room, blinds and curtains are provided for complete privacy (including a blind at the skylight, to block out the very early morning sunshine).

History of Pottergate Tower in Alnwick

Pottergate Tower has a long history, being originally rebuilt in 1768, it’s in incredibly good shape considering its age.

For those particularly interested in the technical architectural features of the tower, it was formerly part of the town’s defences. Rebuilt 1768 to a design by Mr Henry Bell with a crown spire (removed in 1812). Gothick, with ornament to east. Two stages: archway with barrel vaulted passage of 3 ribs on ground floor; blind tracery panels on 1st floor which has a large ogee window with perpendicular type tracery. Open
embattled parapet. Diagonal buttresses with 4 stages of blind cusped arches having crocketted labels; stunted tops.

Above the archway is a St Michael and Dragon, a blank roundel (formerly with a clock) and a memorial tablet: “This tower was rebuilt at the expense of the Borough of Alnwick and the new foundation laid April 28 AD.
1768. John Grey Senior, William Hindmarsh, Robert Richardson, Edward Bell, Chamberlain.” To the north and south are fragments possibly of the old town walls. North, south and west fronts plainer with occasional arrow slit. Staircase in north-west corner.

Important Notes:

The access to the Tower is up a very steep and very narrow winding stone staircase. The owner is able to provide a service between 4pm – 7pm on the day of arrival whereby he will help guests with their luggage and belongings and also assist on their departure by arrangement. Because the stairway is so narrow, large suitcases are not able to fit up and down the stair well, only small and medium suitcase and soft bags.

There are no children, babies or pets permitted to stay at Pottergate Tower due to the very narrow and winding steep staircase into the tower. Pottergate Tower is also not suitable for any guests with restricted mobility.

Pottergate Tower at Alnwick

Medieval Tower

Pottergate Tower has it’s own very unique style, as perfectly portrayed in the amazing photography. Explosed stone, state of the art technology and absolute comfort makes this a 21st century Princess Tower.

The beautiful lounge has the bedroom on a mezzanine level, making the most of the open space and exposed stone.

The lounge has a comfy corner sofa, large flat screen TV and an amazing arched window looking out over Alnwick town and Alnwick Castle beyond.

Watch the world go by in your Princess Tower.

The kitchen is spacious and well-equipped, with a dining table and breakfast bar. Quirky lights and artworks make the tower have even more character.

The kitchen is framed by huge windows, with a mezzanine reading area, overlooking the town with a bookcase full of interesting books.

The gorgeous bedroom is right at the top of the tower, with a super king bed and the original arrow-slit windows on every elevation.

Although compact, the bathroom has been very well designed with a large shower, traditional basin, WC and heated towel rail. Luxury White Company complimentary toiletries provided.

Observe passers by below with a good book in hand on the built in sofa set on the mezzanine level above the kitchen.

Pretty Pottergate Tower in the summer, just yards from the centre of town.

Parking
Parking is available on the roadside just a few yards from the Tower, however you are permitted to park under neath the Tower temporarily to unload your luggage.

Please be Aware
No children or pets are permitted under any circumstances due to the nature of the tower and the access throughout. No large suitcases or bags as the spiral stair case is narrow and they wouldn’t fit. The owner is able to offer a baggage assistance service between 4pm-7pm on the day of your arrival. This can be organised with you book.

Accessibility
Accommodation on 3 floors and not suitable at all for anyone with any mobility limitations. Step spiral staircase from the front door to the kitchen, and from the kitchen to the lounge. The mezzanine bedroom level is accessed from the lounge via a regular stair case.

Bedroom
1 bedroom on a mezzanine level with a super king size bed (6ft).

Bathroom
One bathroom with a large shower, WC and basin with heated towel rail.

Mod-Cons
TV in the lounge with an iPod dock/music system too. Full eco-friendly electric paneled heating throughout the tower, making it warm and cosy. XBox 360 with a selection of games. Complimentary Wi-Fi.

Awards

In addition to being awarded 4 Stars and a prestigious Gold Award by Visit England, Pottergate Tower was a finalist in the European Holiday Home Association’s ‘Best Holiday Home in Europe Awards 2017’.

Video of Pottergate Tower at Alnwick

Floorplan

Here is a floor plan of Pottergate Tower, it’s not perfectly to scale but provided to give you an idea of the layout.

Map & Local Area

Pottergate Tower is truly unique and sits in a very prominent position in the centre of Alnwick. From your front door you are straight onto Pottergate, heading down to Narrowgate where you hit the shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes. Take a left and you can follow the road down past the Barbican and the Castle walls down to Hulne Park.

Alnwick is a great area for exploring the rest of the county too. It has great access to Bamburgh, Wooler, the Borders, Rothbury and more. If you want to go even further afield, the Alnmouth East Cost Main Line station is just 4 miles south, where Edinburgh and Newcastle are reached in between 30 mins and 1 hour.

Explore Alnwick

Activities

Cultural

Local Facilities

Places to eat/drink

Cottages

It’s fabulously unique and very tempting. My wife was enthralled to stay in such an historic tower. It was such an unusual building and yet so comfortable and an adventure for the both of us. We can’t think of anything that would improve the experience!

Tips from a local

Going to be cooking in whilst on holiday? Be sure to go to Turnbull’s butchers in the centre of Alnwick to get what you need. Not only are their meats the finest around, but they also do Asian inspired stir-frys, the BEST pork pies and other ready-made home cooked meals which are to die for. Click HERE for the website.

Tips from a local

Take a walk around Hulne Park in Alnwick, once the hunting grounds of the Percy family and open to the public during the day. Click here to download some routes around Hulne Park, but unfortunately dogs aren’t allowed.

Tips from a local

Cragside is a must when staying in this area of Northumberland. Cragside was the first country house in the world to be lit using hydroelectric power by Lord Armstrong, a key figure in Northumberland. As well as the interesting house, the whole estate is open to the public with its magnificent walks and country trails, as well as a huge children’s play park and a nice café too.
It is ran by the National Trust, click HERE to visit the website and it’s about 15 minutes drive from Alnwick.

Clive

Owner

We asked Clive why Pottergate Tower is so special to him:

“What I find and return to is the space and setting which provides a pause in time, a moment to forget the day to day, to remember days past and to plan those yet come.”

Not sure where to start?

We know Northumberland and all of our cottages inside out, so if you have any particular queries, please don’t hesitate to call or email us. We’re more than happy to help!